Pastor Mary Haley

Are you surprised by the division we are experiencing in the world? Although it makes me sad, I know division is the result of human sin. Therefore, division is purposeful to further the gospel. If human beings want peace in the world, we must first make peace with God. Then, we will all have the power of God to live in a greater measure of unity under God’s authority. After all, we have the Spirit who leads us to unity in Christ!

In our passage today, Jesus is looking at his imminent death; it is time for him to lay down his life for the sins of the world. He knows there will be a resurrection, but the disciples cannot comprehend how death or a resurrection could result in something good. So, because they do not understand God’s plan, Jesus tells his disciples the Father will send the Holy Spirit who will prepare them for what is yet to come. Jesus goes on to describe a huge dichotomy or division in perspective between the believing disciples vs. the unbelieving world regarding his death.

Earlier, Jesus announced his purpose for coming to earth was to bring division; those who received the love and mercy of God found in Christ would be spiritually divided from those who did not (Luke 12:51). Because of God’s Word, we know this sinful world rejoiced at the death of Jesus, because Satan, the ruler of the world, thought he had won the battle for humanity’s allegiance. But, truth keeps marching on! May we join in one voice to declare the world’s need for Oneness with the Lord!

Today, we continue our 10 Days of Prayer; to pray for salvation and peace to come to Israel and the Middle East (Mosul, Iraq). May believers in Israel and Iraq be filled with courage and power as they witness to the world’s need for salvation and unity in Christ. Every nation shows the wounds of hatred and division; only God can bring healing and wholeness.

John 16:16-24 NLT Sadness Will Be Turned to Joy
16 “In a little while you won’t see me anymore. But a little while after that, you will see me again.”

17 Some of the disciples asked each other, “What does he mean when he says, ‘In a little while you won’t see me, but then you will see me,’ and ‘I am going to the Father’? 18 And what does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand.”

19 Jesus realized they wanted to ask him about it, so he said, “Are you asking yourselves what I meant? I said in a little while you won’t see me, but a little while after that you will see me again. 20 I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn over what is going to happen to me, but the world will rejoice. You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy. 21 It will be like a woman suffering the pains of labor. When her child is born, her anguish gives way to joy because she has brought a new baby into the world. 22 So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy. 23 At that time you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name. 24 You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.

Prayer: Lord, we pray for your spiritual family to remain in your joy as we take a stand and pray for the world’s redemption. May the Spirit lead a movement that multiplies your followers. Help us to remember your purpose for coming, Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

A great temptation for humanity is to try and make God in our human image; rather, than God’s actual purpose to redeem and restore us in his image. This perspective is not unusual for non-believers who may use human reasoning, cultural standards, or selfish desires to evaluate a supernatural and holy God. Fortunately, God does not see things the way we do; although, I believe he loves and understands us.

Salvation is God’s priority and purpose; it is always about the goodness of God responding to our faith. Faith is about trusting when we cannot see or understand; we walk by faith not by sight (2 Cor 5:7). In fact, by faith, we must believe God exists and he rewards those who seek him (Heb 11:6). The Spirit leads the way in God’s redemptive purposes and he is a perfect Guide!

Today, as we step into Day 5 of 10 Days of Prayer, we continue praying salvation for the Middle East (Baghdad, Iraq) and Israel. May God bring them an awareness of his presence and may the Spirit, who helps us trust the Lord, lead them toward the Kingdom of Righteousness, Peace and Joy (Ro 14:17). God will bless those who have a proper attitude about him; those who fear the Lord (come by faith in adoration and devotion) and call upon the name of the Lord. Jesus proclaimed to Israel, “For I tell you this, you will never see me again until you say, ‘Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!’”

In our passage today, the psalmist reminds Israel to trust in the Lord and believe God’s desire to draw them into a protected place of provision and blessing. Israel will need to accept the Messiah who came to heal and redeem them. When Israel and other unbelievers receive salvation by grace through faith, they will gain a whole new perspective of the God they have claimed to serve. God will open their eyes to his beautiful majestic glory.

Psalm 115:9-16 NLT
9 
O Israel, trust the Lord!
    He is your helper and your shield.
10 
O priests, descendants of Aaron, trust the Lord!
    He is your helper and your shield.
11 
All you who fear the Lord, trust the Lord!
    He is your helper and your shield.
12 
The Lord remembers us and will bless us.
    He will bless the people of Israel
    and bless the priests, the descendants of Aaron.
13 
He will bless those who fear the Lord,
    both great and lowly.
14 
May the Lord richly bless
    both you and your children.
15 
May you be blessed by the Lord,
    who made heaven and earth.
16 
The heavens belong to the Lord,
    but he has given the earth to all humanity.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the indwelling Spirit who brings us a righteous perspective of you. May we grow in our adoration and trust in you. We ask for a mighty redeeming work to be done in Israel and Iraq. Overshadow them with your grace and goodness; help them see through the eyes of faith the truth of your deep love for them. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Certainly, the enemy desires to shake the faith of believers; he puts in long hours over time to do so. Destroying genuine faith is Satan’s goal, because faith is our shield from evil’s fiery darts (Eph. 6:16). Satan knows our active faith is the only way to please Father God, adequately appropriate and balance the powerful gift of grace, and serve in the love of God as his representatives to a fallen world (Heb 11:6).

Never forget this fallen world is Satan’s playground and the human mind is the site of the greatest spiritual battles to be won or lost. Remember, humanity chose to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Decisions and choices of both good or evil shape our future. We need divine Wisdom, Jesus!

The world’s hatred for the Christ should not surprise us; it began shortly after Jesus was born when [fulfilling Scripture] Herod ordered the killing of all male babies two years old and under in his attempt to eliminate Jesus (Jer. 31:15; Mat 2:16). It is why Joseph and Mary took Jesus to Egypt during this time. Hatred for Israel and Christ’s followers was prophesied by the Lord (John 15:18-19). This hatred for Jews and Christians is ongoing and, according to Scripture, it will be ramping up. We need righteous Authority, Jesus!

In our passage today, Jesus seeks to prepare his disciples for the hatred they will face as his followers. As well, he wants them to know the Father is sending the Holy Spirit to help them and future generations. Jesus is coming back to receive his holy Bride (Church) and to judge Satan and his evil followers. While we wait for the return of Christ, we have the Spirit of God with us; we are not alone. We need the Holy Spirit, Jesus!

Today, in our 10 Days of Prayer, we are focused on Cairo, Egypt as we pray for the spread of the gospel and the advancement of God’s Kingdom in the midst of great hatred. But, we also pray the same for this country, because this rampant hatred must bow to Jesus. May the Spirit break down barriers and lead people to the Truth!

John 16:4-11 NLT
4 Yes, I’m telling you these things now, so that when they happen, you will remember my warning. I didn’t tell you earlier because I was going to be with you for a while longer.

The Work of the Holy Spirit
5 “But now I am going away to the one who sent me, and not one of you is asking where I am going. 6 Instead, you grieve because of what I’ve told you. 7 But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate [Encourager, Comforter, Counselor] won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. 9 The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me. 10 Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more. 11 Judgment will come because the ruler of this world has already been judged.

Prayer: Father, we thank you for the work of the Advocate, the Holy Spirit. We pray for the Spirit to convict the world of sin and the need for repentance. We pray for the gospel of Christ to multiply exponentially and spread over Israel and the Middle East. We pray for your righteousness to be revealed across the globe, Jesus. We pray for the United States to turn from hatred and evil and hunger for your righteousness; may believers across America boldly rise up to proclaim your name. We know Satan will face a final judgement and we ask for courage and endurance while we wait for your return. This battle is yours, Lord, so we yield to your will and ways while we praise and worship you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Some moments in our lives, those we share interacting with someone we love, can truly become unforgettable; the experiences are etched in our memories like a beautiful treasure. These shared moments and conversations are the easiest to remember and certain days, times, songs, or places trigger and recapture those unforgettable moments and bring them front and center in our thoughts. I can only imagine how many of these moments the disciples treasured in their memories during the three years of physically walking through life with Jesus while he was on earth; they witnessed so many miracles.

Today is celebrated as Ascension Day: commemorating the 40th day following Easter when Jesus ascended to Heaven. This is the day believers celebrate Jesus’ victory over death, the salvation he offers to all who believe, and the power of the ministry we each now share in Christ’s Spirit. We are witnesses and representatives of the Good News—because of Jesus there is life with God!

In our passage today, Jesus wants his disciples to remember his Word and commands. These early believers have watched Jesus perform many miracles, but they do not yet fully understand the fulfillment of Scripture, the Spirit of the Law, the totality of Christ’s mission, the power of the Spirit, and how it all connects by grace through faith in God’s love. In fact, although Jesus commissions them to go and make more disciples—telling others about turning from sin by turning to God—he instructs them to wait for the Holy Spirit or Helper. Ministry in human power may be religious in action; ministry in Spirit and Truth actually reveals the motives of the heart, grows Christlike relationships, and empowers our witness in the world. Big, big difference!

Remember to read the Introduction to Ten Days of Prayer to Pentecost, today. If you did not pick your daily prayer cards up at C2C last Sunday, you can find them at 10days.net. We are praying in one accord for the salvation of Israel and the Middle East, as well as the revival of believers across the globe! May the Spirit bring a consuming fire for our souls!

Luke 24:44-53 Expanded Bible
44 He said to them, “·Remember [This is what I said….] when I was with you before? I said that everything written about me must ·happen [be fulfilled]—everything in the law of Moses, the books of the prophets, and the Psalms [a way of referring to the whole Old Testament].”

45 Then Jesus opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He said to them, “It is written that the ·Christ [Messiah] would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day 47 and that ·a change of hearts and lives and [repentance for the] forgiveness of sins would be preached in his name to all nations, starting at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 [And look/behold] I will send you what my Father has promised, but you must stay in ·Jerusalem [the city] until you ·have received [are clothed with] that power from ·heaven [on high].”

Jesus Goes Back to Heaven
50 Jesus led his followers as far as Bethany, and he raised his hands and blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he ·was separated [parted] from them and ·carried [taken up] into heaven. 52 They worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem ·very happy [with great joy]. 53 They ·stayed in the Temple all the time [were continually in the Temple], praising God.

Prayer: Lord, we remember the many ways you have loved and cared for us. From the moment you came into our hearts, we have been storing up the Truth and precious memories in the Spirit. Help us to cling to your strength and power rather than rest in our own, because human strength is inadequate to sustain our witness. Holy Spirit, fills us with love and fiery passion to witness about the Lord to others. The world needs to know and we need to proclaim. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

After his resurrection and just prior to the Lord’s ascension into heaven, he gave his disciples the commission to preach the good news [he’s alive] to all creation (Mark 16:16). Jesus knew some people would believe and receive salvation in his divine love, but not all (Mark 16:17). Some people would reject the Truth, and prefer to live in the darkness of evil and hatred. Believers would be living in a world with unbelievers.

The Lord prepared his disciples, because he knew what they would be facing. He would no longer be with them physically; he would soon be dwelling with the Father in heaven as King. However, by the work of the Holy Spirit, Jesus promises he will always be with his disciples spiritually which, in time, they learn makes them multiply in power as they witness. Christ performs powerful miracles through them to bring revelation of his life.

The first disciples—like us—received salvation by grace [G.R.A.C.E.= God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense] accepted through active faith in the love of Jesus. Now, every disciple is to continue to live by those same gifts as we go about witnessing to others the message of God’s love found in the Christ. Believers are given Christ’s righteous and loving power, so our lives testify to his presence within.

Let’s remember, Jesus was born as the holy and eternal living Word made human flesh; now, believers are human flesh being made holy by the living Word…one obedient step at a time! As a believer, you are a loving, faithful, and miracle carrying disciple being made in the image of Christ the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Take that knowledge with you, today, and share it with someone who needs to know their potential!

Mark 16:19-20 NLT
19 When the Lord Jesus had finished talking with them, he was taken up into heaven and sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 20 And the disciples went everywhere and preached, and the Lord worked through them, confirming what they said by many miraculous signs.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your miraculous love and the revelation of Truth we carry within. Please continue to shape us as we walk in obedience to your holy Word. We know as our character grows more Christlike, you will do even more miraculous works through us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

This morning, it’s important we refresh our focus on agape [God’s binding and selfless love], because it is so easy to lose track of just how unconditional and self-giving God’s love is for us. God is always focused on the well-being [wholeness] of his children. According to 1 Corinthians 13, God’s love is “patient and kind, never jealous, boastful, proud, or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices when the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance” (vv. 4-7).

“Though our feelings come and go, God’s love for us does not.” C.S. Lewis

Agape is the pivot point for balancing God’s amazing gifts of grace and faith to his children. Everything rests on divine love, because it never fails. Without receiving God’s love through Jesus, we don’t have grace (Ro 6:11). Without using faith, it is impossible to receive the love of God or please him (Heb 11:6). The need for obedience to God’s commands of love fill the Old Testament, but does the gift of grace with faith in Christ change the believer’s need to continue in obedience to God’s love commands?

In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus sums up his Ten Commandments in this way: Love God wholeheartedly and love your neighbor like you love yourself (22:37-39). So, obedience to love is still our command. Grace—the power for living—is provided by Christ. He taught his disciples, “If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth” (John 14:15-17). Therefore, we must put our faith into motion by believing in Christ’s love for us and the Spirit’s desire to help us.

Remember today, love is always the pivot point upon which to balance grace and faith. When we become irritable with difficult people, act rudely, prideful, or keep a score sheet for every wrong thing done to us, we diminish God’s love, as well as his gifts of grace and faith operating in our lives. When we choose to walk in love and refuse to allow ourselves to react unkindly, we defeat the enemy. Let’s win the battle, today!

1 John 5:1-6 NLT Faith in the Son of God
1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ [Messiah] has become a child of God. And everyone who loves the Father loves his children, too. 2 We know we love God’s children if we love God and obey his commandments. 3 Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome. 4 For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. 5 And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for reminding us about your pure love and how you are teaching us all the time through the Spirit to walk in it. Thank you for your love, grace, and faith. We need your strength and your wisdom to be victorious. So, please fill us with love today, Lord, and help us win the battle against evil. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Creator God is the Living Word who leads believers through life. Depending on how long we have know Jesus, we can have many, many amazing experiential pictures of his love in action planted within our minds. According to Scripture, in the beginning the Lord spoke and there was Light and he became the very Light he created in order to open humanity up to a vast picture of his existence, the miraculous grace he offers for living, and to be an example of faith in action.

In our passage today, we can connect the Old Testament prophecy of Isaiah with the New Testament gospel of Matthew, because Jesus begins to fulfill the prophet’s picture of Messiah perfectly as he sends his Word to heal a man’s withered hand on the Sabbath (12:9-21). Remember, in our lesson yesterday, God sent Messiah to capture Israel’s attention; to see and embrace his provision through the Son for salvation. Jesus is now the believer’s model of righteousness and the Helper desires to connect us in all the works of his pure love. We just keep on planting more experiential pictures of God’s love and goodness in our minds.

So, if you are struggling today with a life experience that seems overwhelming, please allow your mind to embrace the vastness of God who is not limited by any created thing. If you are open to the righteous ministry of Christ in your behalf, he will guide you through what seems impossible to fix and he will make you and that mess a message you can share. We tend to think God’s faithfulness is only about all the blessings and certainly that is true; but, Christ is not limited like our minds, he knows things before they happen. Therefore, Christ is the Answer to bring healing, wholeness, and leads us to witness to his goodness even in the midst of overwhelming life experiences. He is the Lord of every need!

Isaiah 42:5-9 NLT
5
God, the Lord, created the heavens and stretched them out.
    He created the earth and everything in it.
He gives breath to everyone,
    life to everyone who walks the earth.
And it is he who says,
6 
“I, the Lord, have called you to demonstrate my righteousness.
    I will take you by the hand and guard you,
and I will give you to my people, Israel,
    as a symbol of my covenant with them.
And you will be a light to guide the nations.
7 
    You will open the eyes of the blind.
You will free the captives from prison,
    releasing those who sit in dark dungeons.
8 
“I am the Lord; that is my name!
    I will not give my glory to anyone else,
    nor share my praise with carved idols.
9 
Everything I prophesied has come true,
    and now I will prophesy again.
I will tell you the future before it happens.”

Prayer: Lord, thank you for every fulfilled prophecy found in your Word. There are several more yet to be fulfilled, but we know they will happen just as you have spoken. Thank you for opening our spiritual eyes and liberating us from evil’s blinding work. We praise you for every picture Scripture paints of you, because otherwise our minds just can’t comprehend the magnitude of your presence, love, and grace. Be glorified! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

We must never forget God is the true Rescuer from the things that exile His people from His presence [our home]. The Lord rescued Israel from bondage—slavery to the oppressive governing of Egypt. He rescued Israel from exile [a forced journey] imposed by the governing Assyrians and the Babylonians. When God’s people were rescued, God was the Rescuer who came to bring his people back home under His righteous rule. But, let’s not forget it was Israel’s unfaithfulness [unbelief—lack of trust] that caused their exiled situation in the first place. God’s plan for Israel was to be an example to the nations as they lived by faith in Creator God—to be His worshipers.

What can we learn from things like the exile, bondage, and oppressive governing? Honestly, our biggest take away from reading Scripture should be the revelation of God’s stedfast faithfulness for His unfaithful creation. From the beginning of time, God was determined to be creation’s Rescuer by being humanity’s Redeemer. The Messiah was always the planned Way to salvation for Israel (a covenant people who let God’s holiness prevail). God chose to work through an unfaithful Israel to provide revelation and redemption for the nations of the world. For this reason, Israel has historically been in the spotlight, suffered greatly, and continues to suffer, today. Believers must pray for and support Israel, because when we do we are aligning with the plan of God to bring salvation through the Messiah or Christ to not only them, but to an unbelieving global world.

In our passage today, the prophet Isaiah is used by God as a mouthpiece of preparation to reveal to Israel [and to us] the Rescuer and Redeemer is coming to deliver His people from sin. Jesus is that Servant who was sent by the Father to be a Light [revelation] to guide the unbelieving nation of Israel back “home” to God’s presence. He is also the Savior who came as a Light so a lost and unbelieving world could find “home” (Luke 2:28:32; Acts 13:47; Acts 26:22-23).

In spite of the struggles, genuine believers are those who remain faithful in the strength of the Lord by obeying the Word and the Voice of God’s Spirit. We can never remain in God’s presence apart from Jesus, but let’s never forget Jesus is Lord! He takes sinful, unbelieving and selfish humanity who have been separated by sin from His presence, draws them by salvation near to His holiness, and works to transform unfaithful people into worshipers.

Isaiah 49:5-6 GNT
5
Before I was born, the Lord appointed me;
    he made me his servant to bring back his people,
    to bring back the scattered people of Israel.
The Lord gives me honor;
    he is the source of my strength.
6 (A)The Lord said to me,
“I have a greater task for you, my servant.
    Not only will you restore to greatness
    the people of Israel who have survived,
but I will also make you a light to the nations—
    so that all the world may be saved.”

Prayer: Father, we know no weapon formed against believers can prosper, because you hold all authority and power in your righteous Hand. Thank you for your saving work through the nation of Israel and thank you for bringing salvation to the gentiles so we can be the people who also allow you to prevail. We pray Messiah’s peace for Israel and the world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

I truly had the most wonderful parents when it came to loving me and wanting the best for me. I realize this is not always the case for others and it saddens me when parents miss the opportunity to express God’s tender love for their children. My dad certainly had a tender heart, but he was strict when it came to discipline; he carried high expectations for us. Although he rarely said it, some times when I would ask why I couldn’t do something, he would answer, “Because I said so!” End of discussion.

In our passage today, John wants us to understand the power of obeying the words of Christ, because he is the One who opens the door and pulls back the veil to connect us to the Father who is omnipresent (present everywhere), and omniscient (all-knowing), and omnipotent (all-powerful). What a wonderful and powerful relational CONNECTION! Our heavenly Father, as loving and merciful as he is, says what he means and means what he says. When we honor God’s commands, we are demonstrating our love, respect, and trust in him. God is not double-minded like human beings. We know Christ, as our example, understood the powerful authority behind the words of our heavenly Father which could be translated, “Because I said so!”

I am praying for our hearts—the core of our beings—to be filled with God’s loving presence today, because when we are full we desire to remain in Christ and crave the peace he alone gives our lives. We can trust our Father, his Word, and our Helper.

John 14:18-31 NLT Jesus told his disciples, 18 No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you. 19 Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you also will live. 20 When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.”

22 Judas (not Judas Iscariot, but the other disciple with that name) said to him, “Lord, why are you going to reveal yourself only to us and not to the world at large?”

23 Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. 24 Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me. 25 I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. 26 But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.

27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. 28 Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again. If you really loved me, you would be happy that I am going to the Father, who is greater than I am. 29 I have told you these things before they happen so that when they do happen, you will believe.

30 “I don’t have much more time to talk to you, because the ruler of this world approaches. He has no power over me, 31 but I will do what the Father requires of me, so that the world will know that I love the Father. Come, let’s be going.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your promise to make your home in our hearts as we do what you say. And, thank you for the peace you give, because we need it more every day as we live in this fallen world. Holy Spirit, please continue to remind us of your word, and bring us the power we need so we can obey. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

I enjoy my walks each day with our sweet little dog, Gracie. She explores everywhere we go with great tail-wagging passion. Even though I typically walk the same path with her, Gracie acts like there is always something new to smell and discover as we walk.

While I was out walking Sunday evening, I noticed a neighbor sitting outside alone. He was deep in thought as he stared up at a beautiful American flag flying majestically in his yard. As soon as I greeted him, a wonderful conversation about life, moral integrity, and concern for our country ensued. It was a great discovery for me as Gracie and I walked.

In our passage today, James teaches us about God’s wisdom; divine wisdom or applied Truth is essential if, as believers, we are going to manage our lives well. For this reason, Jesus has been made Wisdom for believers. We need godly wisdom for our physical health. We need godly wisdom for our emotional well-being. We need godly wisdom for our spiritual wholeness. The righteous fruit of wisdom which James mentions in our passage today, becomes evidence for the world that we follow Christ.

God does not ask us to agree with the world’s way of doing things; however, he does asks us to live in peace as much as possible while standing on the undefiled character and Cornerstone of Christ. The Apostle James encourages us to differentiate between worldly wisdom and divine wisdom: worldly wisdom is controlling and void of God’s influence whereas divine wisdom is void of evil and focuses solely on the abundant and liberating Life Christ offers.

James 3:17-18 AMP
17 But the wisdom from above is first pure [morally and spiritually undefiled], then peace-loving [courteous, considerate], gentle, reasonable [and willing to listen], full of compassion and good fruits. It is unwavering, without [self-righteous] hypocrisy [and self-serving guile]. 18 And the seed whose fruit is righteousness (spiritual maturity) is sown in peace by those who make peace [by actively encouraging goodwill between individuals].

Prayer: Lord, thank you for helping us ponder your divine wisdom, today. Through the work of the Spirit, please help us hold fast to godly wisdom, so we can produce the righteous fruit that comes with spiritual maturity. In Jesus’ name. Amen.